Abstract Summary
The goal of restoration programs is to ensure long-term success. In Mexico, coral restoration programs began 12 years ago, nevertheless, there is no reliable information on the location and characteristics of the restoration sites, and no monitoring data post out-planting. To determine if there are any interactions between the characteristics of out-planting sites and the condition of A. palmata recruits, we evaluated 18 sites where restoration had taken place. For sites restored with sexual recruits, we evaluated 50% of the restored area using 1 by 1 m randomly-placed quadrats, whereas for sites restored with fragments, we evaluated 10% of the total area, using 2 by 10 m randomly-placed transects. In both cases, we assessed the condition of the recruits by registering mortality, overgrowth, predation, and out-planting density. Additionally, we recorded benthic composition and water depth. Using these parameters, we developed a restoration status index. The use of coral fragments has been the most common practice (91% of evaluated sites), while restoration utilizing sexual recruits is notably less (6% of evaluated sites), and in one case, a combination of both techniques was used. According to the restoration status index, most of the restoration areas are in poor condition due to high mortality. In most cases, it is unclear whether this is due to the out-planting techniques that were used or due to degradation of the environment after the out-planting. Regardless of the technique that has been applied, all the restoration efforts to date have been applied on a small scale. Given that the actual area of Acropora spp. that has been lost is orders of magnitude higher than the restoration areas, there is an urgency to upscale coral restoration and to increase the success of restoration programs by better understanding the conditions that could favor out-planting of sexual recruits and fragments.
